New Delhi:
Nigerian striker Ranti Martins has been adjudged as the `Best Player` of the last edition of I-League in which he scored 27 goals for Prayag United topping the scorers` list.
It was double delight for Ranti as he also won the `Best Forward` award pipping East Bengal`s Chidi Edeh.
Veteran goalkeeper Sandip Nandy, who is pushing 40, was also rewarded for his stupendous performance under the Churchill Brothers goalpost as he bagged the `Best Goalkeeper` award beating Salgaocar`s Karanjit Singh and Dempo`s Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, who were second and third respectively.
Talented India international and Churchill Brothers medio Lenny Rodrigues also dominated the awards list as he finished runner-up to Ranti in the `Best Player` list but made up for it by winning the `Best Midfielder` award. The lanky Lenny, who has been a regular feature in the starting XI of the national team was a picture of consistency in the Churchill midfield.
East Bengal`s Uga Okpara won the `Best Defender` award beating Prayag`s Bello Razzaq and Churchill Brothers` Bilal Najjarin.
All the Players were chosen as winners after voting from all the Coaches and Captains of I-League Clubs.
The Best Coach for the I-League 2012-13 will be decided in the next AIFF Executive Committee meeting.
Winners (Top-3)
Best Player: Ranti Martins (Prayag United)
2nd: Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill)
3rd: Douhou Pierre (Pune FC)
Best Goalkeeper: Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers)
2nd: Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar)
3rd: Subhasish Roychowdhury (Dempo)
Best Defender: Uga Okpara (East Bengal)
2nd: Bello Razzak (Prayag United)
3rd: Bilal Najjarin (Churchill Brothers)
Best Midfielder: Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers)
2nd: Douhou Pierre (Pune FC)
3rd: Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal)
Best Forward: Ranti Martins (Prayag United)
2nd: Chidi Edeh (East Bengal)
3rd: James Moga (Pune FC).
